Arrest of Iran's 'Supervisor' of Footvolley Team 'on Theft Charges' in Brazil

The Vice President of the Iranian Footvolley Association, responsible for the national team sent to Brazil, was arrested for theft in Brazil. According to Tasnim News Agency, an individual named 'M.D.' attempted to leave a store without paying for items hidden in his clothing, but was apprehended by police in the Copacabana area of Rio de Janeiro. Some Iranian media, including Moj News, identified this individual as Mansour Damirchi, a 53-year-old manager in the Footvolley Association, who was released on bail but has had his passport confiscated by the police and is currently not allowed to leave Brazil until he appears in court. Tasnim reports that initially, the offender was mistakenly identified as the president of the Iranian Volleyball Federation. Other media also referred to him as a member of the Volleyball Federation. However, he is actually the Vice President of the Footvolley Association, which operates under the Federation of Sports Associations. Footvolley is similar to beach volleyball but played with a soccer ball. Matches are played in teams of two or three, with each team allowed a maximum of three touches on the ball, and points awarded to the opposing team if the ball hits the ground. Serves must also be made from behind the baseline. The server in footvolley can gather sand behind the line and send the ball with a kick. The newspaper Shargh stated today that 'the inappropriate behavior of sports officials in international arenas has once again brought disgrace. This time, the representative of Iranian sports is accused of theft, not due to cultural differences.' The Iranian ambassador to Brazil confirmed Damirchi's arrest and announced that a lawyer has been appointed to follow up on the case. Ghaneizadeh emphasized that this individual was not part of Iran's Olympic delegation, and there were no issues for the Iranian athletes, companions, and spectators who came to Brazil during the Olympics. In footvolley competitions, Iran first lost to Brazil with a score of 18 to 6 and then defeated Colombia 3 to 0. Jamil Kar and Abuzar Ghorbani are members of the Iranian team, which also lost its last group stage match against Austria. ISNA reported that Jafar Haj Safari is coaching the team, with Mansour Damirchi as the Vice President of the Footvolley Association and head of the Sports Associations of Golestan Province managing the team. These competitions will continue until September 8 in the coastal village of Rio de Janeiro. The Iranian national footvolley team had previously won a silver medal at the Asian Championships hosted by Thailand. The acting secretary of the Federation of Sports Associations, who is dissatisfied with the news regarding Damirchi's arrest, stated that 'the media should not tarnish the reputation of a long-serving official due to one mistake, and all his services should not be overlooked so easily.' Abdolhossein Deldadeh told Young Journalists Club, 'As long as the accuracy of the matter is not clarified, there is no possibility for a clear response. Unfortunately, with the publication of this news, not only the individual is under pressure, but also those around him are questioned.' The dispatch of officials and athletes from the relatively unknown sport of footvolley to Brazil comes at a time when the dispatch of coaches from Olympic sports to Brazil is only possible with the president's order. The Ministry of Sports has so far refrained from responding to the news regarding Mr. Damirchi.